OUTBACK
railroad
association
Railroads and vendors joining together to promote safety and training in the rail industry...
Keep up-to-date on the latest in railroad regulations and training!
FRA Reporting Threshold for 2023
The Monetary Threshold for Reporting Rail Equipment Accidents/Incidents for Calendar Year 2023 is $11,500.
February 2023
FAMES - Roadway Workers Fatally Injured by Trains or On-Track Equipment in Multiple Track Territory The FAMES Committee reviewed available data from 89 fatal railroad accidents, of which 46 involved trains or on-track equipment where two or more tracks were present. Click HERE to read their report.
February 2021
SOFA - Why Job Brief? The SOFA Committee released a one page analysis that describes the importance of Job Briefing. This is excellent material to share with your employees to help them understand how job briefing, or lack thereof, can have a direct impact on their safety. Click HERE to read the report.
September 2020
FAMES - Fatal Accidents Involving Boom/Crane Usage on Roadway Maintenance Machines. The FAMES Committee reviewed available data from 9 fatal railroad accidents occurring since
1997 in which a boom on an RMM was in use. Click HERE to read their report.
December 2019
NTSB Issues Safety Recommendations following fatal train accident in Granite Canyon, WY. On October 4, 2018, an eastbound Union Pacific (UP) freight train collided with the rear of stationary UP freight train after cresting a hill and traveling down a descending grade of up to 1.58 percent for about 13 miles. Prior to the accident, the crew of the striking train reported problems with the train’s air brake system and radioed the UP Harriman Dispatch Center to advise them they had accelerated to 50 mph and were unable to stop. Read the Safety Recommendations HERE
October 2019
FAMES - 4th Quarter Safety Alert - 19 years of data shows a 4th Quarter spike in roadway worker incidents. Click HERE for the report.
September 2018
Compliance Guide for FRA Part 243 Training, Qualification, and Oversight for Safety-Related Railroad Employees
Click here to download a copy of the latest compliance manual for Part 243.
April 2018
Clarification Regarding Fitbits for Transportation Employees
FRA considers Fitbits and similar devices to be “personal electronic devices” that are subject to the restrictions in part 220. Per the definition of an “electronic device” at 49 CFR 220.5, they are an electronic device that performs functions not necessary for the health or safety of that person and entail the risk of distracting employees from safety-related tasks.
June 10, 2016
June 10, 2016
ODAPC Revises “What Employers Need to Know about DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing” Handbook
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance (ODAPC) has updated the “What Employers Need to Know About DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing” guidelines, also known as the “Employer Handbook.” Last revised in October 2010, this new version can be viewed at http://www.dot.gov/odapc/employer_handbook. A summary of changes made to the “Employer Handbook” can be found on the last page of the booklet.
June 1, 2015
GCOR Edition Available.
Click the red Order button for more information to order your 7th Edition of the General Code of Operation Rules. (8th Edition coming soon!)
Jan 13, 2015
Jan 13, 2015
FRA issues Safety Advisory 2014-02
Safety Advisory 2014-02 Roadway Worker Authority Limits— Importance of Clear Communication, Compliance With Applicable Rules and Procedures, and Ensuring That Appropriate Safety Redundancies Are in Place in the Event of Miscommunication or Error”. Click here to view the pdf file from the FRA...
Nov 25, 2014
FRA Issues Final Rule of Minimum Training Standards
The Federal Railroad Administration has issued the final rule for minimum training requirements for railroad employees and contractors who perform safety-related work. The regulation was mandated by the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 and was created to ensure that safety-related employees are trained and qualified to comply with federal safety laws and orders. The new reg requires minimum training standards for each type of safety-related railroad employee, FRA review and approval of each employer's training program, more structured on-the-job training, and requires employers to review and improve traiing programs annually.
Nov 20, 2014